15 November 11

Pro Snow

Not sure which ski resort to choose this winter? Matt Barr talks to some of the UK's top skiers and snowboarders to get the lowdown on the European resorts they really rate

After Europe’s extremely late summer this year, skiing weather is here again. Snow has begun to fall on mountaintops from the Alps to the Pyrenees – and for skiers and snowboarders that means now is a time of frenzied anticipation as the annual mission to the mountain is almost here. The decision now is which resort to head for. And what better way to narrow it down than by asking the real experts: some of Britain’s most accomplished professional skiers and snowboarders. These guys spend their lives travelling the world and chasing the snow, so when they pick their favourites you can be sure they’ll come up with some winners.

Graham Bell

Five-time Olympic skier, and presenter of BBC TV shows Ski Sunday and High Altitude

FAVOURITE RESORT: GRESSONEY-LA- TRINITÉ, AOSTA VALLEY, ITALY

WHY GRESSONEY? “It’s an unspoiled village famous for its superb food, on the Italian side of Switzerland’s highest mountain, the Monte Rosa. But the reason I go is the amazing off-piste runs. It’s also the best place to heliski – that’s skiing on pistes where you’re dropped off by helicopter.

You can be picked up on the mountain and dropped with a guide at over 4,000m. Calling something the best-kept secret in the Alps is something of a cliché, but in the case of Gressoney it really is true. Plus, it has the best on-hill coffee in Europe.”

WHERE’S GOOD TO STAY? “The Hotel Dufour (www.hoteldufour.it) is a very reasonable family-run hotel; or alternatively beside the lifts in Stafal there is the newly renovated Chalet du Lys (www.chaletdulys. it). Abandoned until very recently, the place has been restored to its former glory and you won’t find better views of the Monte Rosa anywhere in the Alps.”

WHERE’S GOOD TO EAT AND DRINK? “You have to seek out Rifugio Guglielmina (www.rifugioguglielmina.com). At 2,880m between Gressoney and neighbouring resort Alagna, it serves miaccia, a local batter-style delicacy filled with cheese and meat. Just the thing to put those calories back on.”

ANY OTHER TIPS? “Heliskiing here is not the same as in the US or Canada, it’s a little more like ski mountaineering, so a lot harder. Not for beginners!”

Jenny Jones

Three-times Winter X Games snowboarding gold medallist

FAVOURITE RESORT: MAYRHOFEN, AUSTRIA

WHY MAYRHOFEN? “There is so much to do at Mayrhofen: steep slopes, beginner trails, tree runs, off-piste and a really fun terrain park. Plus, the season is really long which is perfect for me. In October I ride up on the glacier with the British snowboarding team, and then from January to April I ride the Mayrhofen fun park lower down in the resort. The Zillertal Valley in Austria is packed full of resorts, but Mayrhofen takes the prize thanks to a brilliant mountain and an equally exciting town.”

WHERE’S GOOD TO STAY? “My favourite place to stay is the Mountain & Soul hotel (www.mountainandsoul.at). Healthy food and spa facilities nestled in the valley with fantastic views.”

WHERE’S GOOD TO EAT AND DRINK? “Head to ex-pro snowboarder Thomas ‘Beckna’ Eberharter’s family restaurant at Hotel Landhaus Carla (www.landhaus-carla. at) for traditional Tirolean cuisine with a high-end twist. Or if après-ski is more your thing, try out Ice Bar (www.facebook.com/ pages/Ice-Bar-Mayrhofen/47302433980) and Scotland Yard Pub (www.scotlandyard. at), the local seasonaire hot spot to down shots and get plugged into the party scene.”

ANY OTHER TIPS? “If you’re all skied out, try the local sport of ‘rodelling’, long-distance tobogganing where you sit in a big sled with two skis attached to it. Hold on tight, because these things are fast!”

Chemmy Alcott

Britain’s number one female downhill skier and three-time Olympian

FAVOURITE RESORT: CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, ITALY

WHY CORTINA D’AMPEZZO? “There’s so much undulating terrain, and I scored my first Ski World Cup top 10 placing there, so it’ll always be special. The views over the Dolomites are epic, and when I’m racing all I can see are these fantastic mountain ranges. Cortina is the type of ski resort that you can imagine James Bond frequenting. Indeed, he did in 1981’s For Your Eyes Only. Little has changed since then either, so expect luxurious hotels and some demanding slopes on the spectacular Dolomites.”

WHERE’S GOOD TO STAY? “I always stay at the family run Franceschi Park Hotel (www.franceschiparkhotel.com). I love the relaxed family vibe there. Watch out for dinner though if you’re on a diet – it usually covers 10 very decadent courses.”

WHERE’S GOOD TO EAT AND DRINK? “If you have some cash I love the fine dining at the Michelin-starred Tivoli restaurant (www.ristorantetivoli.it), and for drinks check the Clipper bar (www.cortinadampezzo.it/ virtualtour/clipper). You’ll recognise it by the full-size bobsleigh hanging from the ceiling.”

ANY OTHER TIPS? “Try out Cortina’s Olympic bobsleigh track; take in an ice hockey game with the local Cortina team; and visit the fascinating Lagazuoi World War I tunnels. Oh, and my favourite piste is the Tofana. It’s not for the faint-hearted, because you’ll go from 0 to 70mph (113km/h) in three seconds.”

Lesley Mckenna

Three-time Olympian and the only British snowboarder to have led the half-pipe World Cup standings

FAVOURITE RESORT: LIVIGNO, ITALY

WHY LIVIGNO? “It’s tucked away in the Italian Alps, nestled right between Austria and Switzerland, and is an Italian tax-free area. This means that Livigno is not only great for going snowboarding, it’s also brilliant for a bit of shopping too. The terrain around here is perfect for snow action, with a mixture of steeps and cliffs and great off-piste. There’s also a first-class snow park with some of the best jumps in the Alps.

A trip to Livigno is a real adventure – you have to access the resort through a tunnel, and it feels like a long way from anywhere. But once you’re there, a world of duty free and fantastic skiing awaits.”

WHERE’S GOOD TO STAY? “Lovely small hotels in quaint chalet style are the norm. There are plenty of B&Bs and cheap apartments to rent. Personally, I’d stay at the Hotel Möta (www.hotelmota.com) because the staff are so welcoming.”

WHERE’S GOOD TO EAT AND DRINK? “It’s all about pizza! My absolute number one place to eat is pizzeria La Rusticana (www. livignoitaly.com/larustican/rustican.htm). The pizzas are of a knock-out quality in all the restaurants here, though. Make sure to add a little of the region’s delicious chilli oil.”

ANY OTHER TIPS? “Livigno is a snowboard-friendly resort with a fantastic fun park. They’re also very safety conscious, meaning that if you want to ride at the fun park you’ll need to wear a helmet.”

Ed Leigh

Former pro snowboarder, presenter of BBC TV show Ski Sunday and Olympics commentator

FAVOURITE RESORT: BAQUEIRA-BERET, SPAIN

WHY BAQUEIRA-BERET? “It’s one of those resorts that not many people know about, tucked away in the Spanish Pyrenees. And what’s lovely is that you are getting a dose of rural Spanish culture on a snow holiday – not something you get at most resorts built purely for skiing. For the skier/snowboarder, the mountains offer a fantastic variety of excellent beginner slopes, and you can tour huge areas without fear of encountering a red run. But equally it has some of the best off-piste terrain I have seen anywhere in the world.

Its speciality is short, steep pitches that will challenge any level of rider.”

WHERE’S GOOD TO STAY? “If you want value for money, stay at Hotel La Bonaigua (www.hotellabonaigua.com), which offers a great family welcome. Or, for luxury, try out La Pleta (www.lapleta.com).”

WHERE’S GOOD TO EAT AND DRINK? “There’s great food at the hotels, but if you want to venture further afield, Vielha, 14km away, provides more of a selection of restaurants and bars. You could also start your trip in Barcelona, spending a day or two partying there first, before coming here.”

ANY OTHER TIPS? “Take the Teso Dera Mina chairlift, the best chairlift I’ve ever ridden. It takes you along a 1km ridge that allows you to pick your favourite off-piste run down, and find your point of entry easily thanks to the well numbered lift poles.”